How to Find a College That Offers Merit Scholarships

We saw a recent Facebook post that listed the names of about 50 colleges that offered little or no merit aid in the 2025-2026 application season. Those colleges include all the Ivy League schools and other colleges that have under 20% acceptance rates. These schools are what is called “meets needs” schools. They mostly provide money based on your financial need from filling out the FAFSA. If you don’t qualify for financial aid or only some financial aid, then you will want to find colleges that offer merit scholarships based on a student’s academic achievements, leadership, talents, or other accomplishments—to help bring down the cost. 

What Are Merit Scholarships?

Unlike need-based financial aid, merit scholarships reward students for their accomplishments rather than their family’s financial situation. These awards may be based on:

• GPA and academic performance
• Standardized test scores (where considered)
• Leadership and extracurricular involvement
• Community service
• Artistic or athletic talent
• Special interests or intended major

Some scholarships are automatically awarded when students apply, while others require separate applications, essays, or interviews.

Why Merit Aid Matters

Merit scholarships can significantly reduce the overall cost of college. Awards range from a few thousand dollars per year to full tuition or even full-ride scholarships.

For families who don’t qualify for grants but are still concerned about affordability, merit aid can make a private college cost the same—or even less—than a public university.

Many smaller private colleges also use merit scholarships to attract strong students and make their schools more affordable.

What Families Should Know

Not every college offers merit scholarships. That’s why it’s important to understand each college’s financial aid philosophy before applying. Looking at the Common Data Set for each school can help you see how much institutional aid they have available. You’ll see that private colleges have a larger amount of this type of aid in the form of scholarships and grants as their funds come from private donors instead of public funds.

When researching colleges, consider:

• Does the school offer merit scholarships?
• Are awards automatic or competitive?
• What GPA or academic profile is typically needed?
• Can merit scholarships be combined with other aid?
• What GPA must students maintain to renew the scholarship?

Merit Aid Should Be Part of Your College Strategy

Choosing a college isn’t just about finding the best academic fit—it’s also about finding the best financial fit. Building a balanced college list that includes schools with strong merit scholarship opportunities can save families tens of thousands of dollars over four years.

A thoughtful application strategy can help students maximize scholarship opportunities while still applying to colleges that match their academic interests, career goals, and campus preferences.

Final Thoughts

Don’t assume college is out of reach simply because you don’t qualify for need-based financial aid. Merit scholarships provide an excellent opportunity for students to be recognized for their hard work and achievements while making higher education more affordable. With careful planning and research, families can identify colleges that reward academic excellence and help reduce the cost of earning a degree.

Contact us to find out how we can help build an affordable college list that meets your needs.